Bad news for family of Kevin Ward, still seeking 'justice' in suit against former NASCAR star Tony Stewart


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The family of Kevin Ward Jr. and former NASCAR star Tony Stewart are still involved in a civil lawsuit centering on Ward's death on a New York racetrack.

Now, the Ward family is going to have to wait a while longer.

ESPN reported that the lawsuit -- now in its third year -- has been delayed again, this time due to Hurricane Harvey, which decimated parts of Texas. The Ward family's attorneys are from Houston, which has been hard hit by the hurriacane. Now, a hearing that was scheduled for Thursday has been pushed back to October 27.

During their last appearance, Stewart and the Ward family did not reach a settlement in a civil lawsuit.

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There have been three attempts to settle a civil lawsuit that alleges Stewart acted recklessly when he struck and killed Ward during an Empire Super Sprint series race in upstate New York in August 2014. After a wreck on the track, Ward exited his vehicle and was struck by Stewart's car. Stewart was exonerated in any criminal wrongdoing because a court found Ward was impaired due to marijuana use -- a claim his family disputes.

The Ward family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the wreck, and said, on Good Morning America, they believe Stewart lost his temper but did not intentionally hit their son. They see the civil suit at a way to get "justice" for their son.  Stewart has said he was just trying to change direction and hitting Ward was an accident.

"I know 100 percent in my heart and in my mind that I did not do anything wrong. This was 100 percent an accident," Stewart told The Associated Press.

 

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